Of Specified Configuration Patents (Class 257/773)
  • Patent number: 10163927
    Abstract: A semiconductor memory device includes a cell array region formed on a substrate, a word line contact region, and a page buffer region coupled to the cell array region through bit lines, wherein at least one of the bit lines has a curved structure toward the word line contact region. According to an embodiment, a misalignment between a cell plug and a contact plug caused by a natural cell plug bending phenomenon may be reduced to improve operational reliability of a semiconductor memory device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: SK Hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Yung Jun Kim, Suk Goo Kim
  • Patent number: 10157810
    Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a semiconductor device. The semiconductor device includes a layer disposed over a substrate. A conductive body extends through the layer. A plurality of bar or pillar structures are spaced apart from one another and laterally surround the conductive body. The plurality of bar or pillar structures are generally concentric around the conductive body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ying-Chieh Liao, Han-Wei Yang, Chen-Chung Lai, Kang-Min Kuo, Bor-Zen Tien
  • Patent number: 10141372
    Abstract: A three-dimensional semiconductor device is provided as follows. A substrate includes a contact region, a dummy region, and a cell array region. A stack structure includes electrodes vertically stacked on the substrate. The electrodes are stacked to have a first stepwise structure on the contact region and a second stepwise structure in the dummy region. Ends of at least two adjacent electrodes in the second stepwise structure have first sidewalls vertically aligned so that horizontal positions of the first sidewalls are substantially the same.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joyoung Park, Seok-Won Lee, Seongjun Seo
  • Patent number: 10134747
    Abstract: A semiconductor device may include a first cell structure, a second cell structure, a pad structure, a circuit, and an opening. The pad structure may include a first stepped structure and a second stepped structure located between the first cell structure and the second cell structure. The first stepped structure may include first pads electrically connected to the first and second cell structures and stacked on top of each other, and the second stepped structure may include second pads electrically connected to the first and second cell structures and stacked on top of each other. The circuit may be located under the pad structure. The opening may pass through the pad structure to expose the circuit, and may be located between the first stepped structure and the second stepped structure to insulate the first pads and the second pads from each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10134669
    Abstract: A semiconductor device structure includes a first metal layer formed over a substrate and an interconnect structure formed over the first metal layer. The interconnect structure includes an upper portion, a middle portion and a lower portion, the middle portion is connected between the upper portion and the lower portion. The upper portion and the lower portion each have a constant width, and the middle portion has a tapered width which is gradually tapered from the upper portion to the lower portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Che-Cheng Chang, Chih-Han Lin
  • Patent number: 10128268
    Abstract: Provided herein is a semiconductor device including N stacked groups (where N is a natural number greater than or equal to two) sequentially stacked over a substrate, each stacked group including interlayer insulating films and conductive patterns alternately stacked, and N concave portions each having stepped sidewalls formed in the interlayer insulating films and the conductive patterns of the stacked groups, the N concave portions each having stepped sidewalls being aligned in a first direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventor: Nam Jae Lee
  • Patent number: 10128130
    Abstract: A compact and high-reliability semiconductor device is implemented. The bonding wires situated in the vicinity of a gate, and the bonding wires situated in the vicinity of a vent facing to the gate across the center of a semiconductor chip in a molding step have a loop shape falling inwardly of the semiconductor chip, have a weaker pulling force (tension) than those of other bonding wires, and are loosely stretched with a margin. The bonding wires situated in the vicinity of the gate in the molding step are, for example, a first wire and a fifth wire to be connected with a first electrode pad and a fifth electrode pad, respectively. Whereas, the bonding wires situated in the vicinity of the vent in the molding step are, for example, a third wire and a seventh wire to be connected with a third electrode pad and a seventh electrode pad, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 1, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Yuki Yagyu
  • Patent number: 10128225
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure are directed towards techniques and configurations of interconnect structures having a polymer core in integrated circuit (IC) package assemblies. In one embodiment, an apparatus includes a first die having a plurality of transistor devices disposed on an active side of the first die and a plurality of interconnect structures electrically coupled with the first die, wherein individual interconnect structures of the plurality of interconnect structures have a polymer core, and an electrically conductive material disposed on the polymer core, the electrically conductive material being configured to route electrical signals between the transistor devices of the first die and a second die. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sandeep Razdan, Edward R. Prack, Sairam Agraharam, Robert L. Sankman, Shan Zhong, Robert M. Nickerson
  • Patent number: 10128205
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present disclosure describe integrated circuit (IC) package assemblies and methods of fabricating IC package assemblies. These embodiments include dies embedded in embedding substrates to provide larger pitch interconnects to facilitate coupling to substrates or circuit boards through flip chip techniques. The embedding substrates may contain conductive pathways for coupling die contacts to larger pitch contacts located on the embedding substrate. By embedding the dies in the embedding substrates, dies having smaller pitch contacts can be used in package assemblies with larger pitch components without the need for silicon interposers and without having to utilize more stringent pick and place operations. Other embodiments may be described and/or claimed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Thorsten Meyer, Sven Albers
  • Patent number: 10121763
    Abstract: Implementations of a clip for a semiconductor package may include: an electrically conductive clip having a first end and a second end and a middle section between the first end and the second end. The first end may be configured to couple to a first die through a bonding material. The second end may be configured to couple to a second die through a bonding material. The middle section may be configured to couple to an emitter structure through a bonding material. The clip may include an integrally formed electrically conductive material and include an M-shape. A middle of the M-shape may be coupled to the emitter structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: SEMICONDUCTOR COMPONENTS INDUSTRIES, LLC
    Inventors: Chee Hiong Chew, Atapol Prajuckamol, Yushuang Yao
  • Patent number: 10118712
    Abstract: The disclosure provides in one embodiment an electrical conductor pathway system for diverting an electric charge. The electrical conductor pathway system includes a substrate having a first surface to be printed on and having one or more grounding points. The electrical conductor pathway system further includes a direct write conductive material pattern printed directly onto the first surface via a direct write printing process. The direct write conductive material pattern forms one or more electrical pathways interconnected with the one or more grounding points. The one or more electrical pathways interconnected with the one or more grounding points divert the electric charge from the first surface to the one or more grounding points.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: The Boeing Company
    Inventors: Victoria L. Garcia, Mark J. Gardner, Otis F. Layton, Jeffrey Lynn Duce, Joseph A. Marshall, IV
  • Patent number: 10112237
    Abstract: A device for drying and sintering metal-containing ink on a substrate enables homogeneous irradiation of the substrate, has compact construction, and is simple and economical to produce. Optical infrared radiators have a cylindrical radiator tube and a longitudinal axis, and emit radiation having an IR-B radiation component of at least 30% and an IR-C radiation component of at least 5% of total radiator output power. The radiators are arranged in a module with their longitudinal axes running parallel to each other and transverse to the transport direction. They thereby irradiate on the surface of the substrate an irradiation field, which is divided into a drying zone and a sintering zone arranged downstream of the drying zone in the transport direction. The drying zone is exposed to at least 15% less average irradiation density than the sintering zone along a center axis running in the transport direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 10, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2018
    Assignee: Heraeus Noblelight GmbH
    Inventors: Holger Zissing, Jürgen Weber, Sven Linow, Oliver Weiss
  • Patent number: 10103236
    Abstract: A method for manufacturing a semiconductor device includes forming a conductive pattern on a substrate, forming a filling insulation layer covering the conductive pattern, forming a contact hole in the filling insulation layer and adjacent to the conductive pattern, forming an opening in the conductive pattern by removing a portion of the conductive pattern adjacent to the contact hole such that the opening is connected to the contact hole, and forming a contact plug filling the contact hole and the opening. A width of the opening is greater than a width of the contact hole.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Tae-Wan Lim, Hojong Kang, Joowon Park
  • Patent number: 10103195
    Abstract: A pixel comprises three adjacent sub-pixels, formed by respective stacks of semi-conducting layers wherein: each sub-pixel comprises a first active layer, adapted for emitting a light at a first wavelength when an electric current passes through it; another sub-pixel comprises a second active layer, adapted for emitting a light at a second wavelength greater than the first wavelength; another sub-pixel comprises a third active layer, adapted for emitting a light at a third wavelength greater than the first wavelength and different from the second wavelength; at least one from among the second and third active layers being adapted for emitting light when it is excited by the light at the first wavelength emitted by the first active layer of the same sub-pixel. Semi-conducting structure and methods for the fabrication of such a pixel are provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: CENTRE NATIONAL DE LA RECHERCHE SCIENTIFIQUE
    Inventors: Benjamin Damilano, Jean-Yves Duboz
  • Patent number: 10104773
    Abstract: In an exemplary method, three dimensional printing forms a micro lattice truss structure with a first end formed in contact with a conductive area on a PCB so that the truss structure is adhered to the conductive area due to the three dimensional printing. The truss structure extends outward from the PCB and has a distal end. The truss structure is formed with resiliency so that the truss structure maintains structural integrity during end-to-end compression. The resiliency of the micro lattice truss structure enables the truss structure to return to substantially its uncompressed length when the compression is removed. The truss structure is conductive so that a resilient electrical connection can be formed between the conductive area of the PCB and another spaced apart surface parallel with the PCB when the distal end of the truss structure is in contact with and compressed by the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Northrop Grumman Systems Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew J. Pirih, Steven J. Mass, Andrew Yurko
  • Patent number: 10096542
    Abstract: A substrate includes a first dielectric structure, a first circuit layer, a second dielectric structure and a second circuit layer. The first circuit layer is embedded in the first dielectric structure, and does not protrude from a first surface of the first dielectric structure. The second dielectric structure is disposed on the first surface of the first dielectric structure. The second circuit layer is embedded in the second dielectric structure, and is electrically connected to the first circuit layer. A first surface of the second circuit layer is substantially coplanar with a first surface of the second dielectric structure, and a surface roughness value of a first surface of the first circuit layer is different from a surface roughness value of the first surface of the second circuit layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Chih Cheng Lee, Yuan-Chang Su
  • Patent number: 10096613
    Abstract: According to one embodiment, columnar portions extend through an insulating layer and through a stacked body under the insulating layer. The columnar portions are of an insulating material different from the insulating layer. Contact portions include a first contact portion disposed inside a first terrace portion and a second contact portion disposed inside a second terrace portion. The columnar portions including a first columnar portion disposed inside the first terrace portion and a second columnar portion disposed inside the second terrace portion. A shortest distance between the first contact portion and the first columnar portion, and a shortest distance between the second contact portion and the second columnar portion are substantially equal to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2018
    Assignee: Toshiba Memory Corporation
    Inventors: Atsushi Takahashi, Yasuhito Yoshimizu
  • Patent number: 10083842
    Abstract: Techniques disclosed herein provide a method for substrate patterning that results in lines of non-uniform pitch (mixed pitch). Techniques can also enable advanced patterning options by selectively replacing lines of material in a multi-line layer. A multi-line layer is formed that has alternating lines of three different materials. One or more etch masks are used to selectively remove at least one uncovered line without removing other uncovered lines. Removed material is replaced with a fill material. Selective removal is executed using an etch mask as well as differing etch resistivities of the different lines of materials.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventors: Anton J. deVilliers, Nihar Mohanty, Jeffrey Smith
  • Patent number: 10084115
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an optoelectronic device comprising a semiconductor stack comprising a first side having a first length; a first contact layer on the semiconductor stack; and a second contact layer on the semiconductor stack opposite to the first contact layer, wherein the second contact layer is not overlapped with the first contact layer in a vertical direction; and wherein the second contact layer comprises multiple contact regions separated from each other and arranged in a two-dimensional array, wherein a first distance between the two adjacent contact regions is between 0.8% and 8% of the first length.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 25, 2018
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chun-Yu Lin, Yi-Ming Chen, Shih-Chang Lee, Yao-Ning Chan, Tzu-Chieh Hsu
  • Patent number: 10062641
    Abstract: Integrated circuits and methods of forming the same are provided herein. In an embodiment, an integrated circuit includes a semiconductor substrate that has an isolated well. A multilayer metallization stack overlies the semiconductor substrate. The multilayer metallization stack includes a metal layer, a functional via, and a dummy metal feature. The metal layer includes a first line in electrical communication with the isolated well through a contact. The functional via is in electrical communication with the first line and the contact. The dummy metal feature is in electrical communication with the functional via.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES SINGAPORE PTE. LTD.
    Inventors: Haifeng Sheng, Shifeng Zhao, Juan Boon Tan, Soh Yun Siah
  • Patent number: 10062691
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes merged contact plugs. A multi-fin active having N sub-fins is formed in a substrate. A contact plug is formed on the impurity areas. N is an integer between about eight (8) and about one thousand (1000). The N sub-fins include a first sub-fin formed in the outermost portion of the multi-fin active and a second sub-fin formed near the first sub-fin. A straight line perpendicular to a surface of the substrate and passes through a virtual bottom edge of the contact plug is disposed between the first sub-fin and the second sub-fin, or through the second sub-fin. The virtual bottom edge of the contact plug is defined at a cross point of a correlation line extending on a side surface of the contact plug and a horizontal line in contact with a lowermost end of the contact plug and parallel to the surface of the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyerim Moon, Myounghun Choi
  • Patent number: 10049981
    Abstract: A through via structure includes a semiconductor substrate, an underlying insulation layer, a conductive via and a sidewall insulation layer. The underlying insulation layer is over the semiconductor substrate. The conductive via is through the semiconductor substrate and the underlying insulation layer. The sidewall insulation layer is between the semiconductor substrate and the conductive via. The sidewall insulation layer includes a protrusion proximal to an interface between the semiconductor substrate and the underlying insulation layer, and protruding outwardly into the semiconductor substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING COMPANY LTD.
    Inventors: Hsin-Hung Chen, Min-Feng Kao, Hsing-Chih Lin, Jen-Cheng Liu, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 10050134
    Abstract: A method for fabricating an anode-shorted field stop insulated gate bipolar transistor (IGBT) comprises selectively forming first and second semiconductor implant regions of opposite conductivity types. A field stop layer of a second conductivity type can be grown onto or implanted into the substrate. An epitaxial layer can be grown on the substrate or on the field stop layer. One or more insulated gate bipolar transistors (IGBT) component cells are formed within the epitaxial layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2018
    Assignee: ALPHA AND OMEGA SEMICONDUCTOR INCORPORATED
    Inventors: Anup Bhalla, Madhur Bobde, Yongping Ding, Xiaotian Zhang, Yueh-Se Ho
  • Patent number: 10021802
    Abstract: An electronic module is presented. The electronic module includes one or more electronic devices and a first bus electrically coupled to at least one of the one or more electronic devices. The first bus includes a first electrically conductive plate, a second electrically conductive plate, and a first electrically insulating plate disposed between the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate, where in a first portion of the first bus, the first electrically insulating plate is disposed such that the first electrically insulating plate is not in direct physical contact with at least one of the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate to form at least one cavity between the first electrically insulating plate and at least one of the first electrically conductive plate and the second electrically conductive plate. An electronic module assembly having low loop inductance is also presented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Tobias Schuetz, Philip Michael Cioffi
  • Patent number: 10020431
    Abstract: A method according embodiments of the invention includes providing a wafer of semiconductor devices. The wafer of semiconductor devices includes a semiconductor structure comprising a light emitting layer sandwiched between an n-type region and a p-type region. The wafer of semiconductor devices further includes first and second metal contacts for each semiconductor device. Each first metal contact is in direct contact with the n-type region and each second metal contact is in direct contact with the p-type region. The method further includes forming a structure that seals the semiconductor structure of each semiconductor device. The wafer of semiconductor devices is attached to a wafer of support substrates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2018
    Assignee: Lumileds LLC
    Inventors: Jipu Lei, Stefano Schiaffino, Alexander H. Nickel
  • Patent number: 10002850
    Abstract: A semiconductor chip may include a semiconductor substrate having a front surface and a rear surface which faces away from the front surface. The semiconductor chip may include a fixed metal layer formed over the front surface of the semiconductor substrate, and having first metal lines formed in the fixed metal layer. The semiconductor chip may include a configurable metal layer formed over the fixed metal layer to have one surface which faces the fixed metal layer and the other surface which faces away from the one surface, and having second metal lines formed in the configurable metal layer such that at least one end of the second metal lines disposed on the one surface are respectively connected with the first metal lines and other ends of the second metal lines facing away from the at least one end are disposed at predetermined positions on the other surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: SK hynix Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Eun Lee, Eun Ko, Yong Jae Park
  • Patent number: 10002757
    Abstract: Implementations disclosed herein generally relate to methods of forming silicon oxide films. The methods can include performing silylation on the surface of the substrate having terminal hydroxyl groups. The hydroxyl groups on the surface of the substrate are then regenerated using a plasma and H2O soak in order to perform an additional silylation. Further methods include catalyzing the exposed surfaces using a Lewis acid, directionally inactivating the exposed first and second surfaces and deposition of a silicon containing layer on the sidewall surfaces. Multiple plasma treatments may be performed to deposit a layer having a desired thickness.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: APPLIED MATERIALS, INC.
    Inventors: Yihong Chen, Kelvin Chan, Shaunak Mukherjee, Abhijit Basu Mallick
  • Patent number: 10002848
    Abstract: A conductive layer is formed on the first zone of a carrier. The redistribution layer is formed on the conductive layer on the first zone and the second zone of the carrier. Then an open-test and a short-test are performed to the redistribution layer. Since the conductive layer and the parts of the redistribution layer formed on the conductive layer constitute a closed loop, a load is presented if the redistribution layer is formed correctly. In addition, no load is presented if the redistribution layer is formed correctly since the parts of the redistribution layer formed on the second zone of the carrier constitute an open loop. Therefore, whether the redistribution layer is flawed or not is determined before the dies are boned on the redistribution layer. Thus, no waste of the good die is occurred because of the flawed redistribution layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: POWERTECH TECHNOLOGY INC.
    Inventors: Han-Wen Lin, Hung-Hsin Hsu, Shang-Yu Chang-Chien, Nan-Chun Lin
  • Patent number: 9997451
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a porous dielectric layer formed on an interconnect layer and including a recessed portion, a conductive layer formed in the recessed portion, and a conformal cap layer formed on the porous dielectric layer and on the conductive layer in the recessed portion, an upper surface of the porous dielectric layer being exposed through a gap in the conformal cap layer. Porous dielectric material is protected by back-filled pore fillers or leave-in porogens from process integration such as chemical mechanical polishing (CMP). The pore fillers or porogens are removed after CMP and Cap process to achieve low capacitance. A self-aligned cap protects the conductor metal from exposing the severe conditions during the pore filler or porogen removal process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin David Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Bartlet H. Deprospo, Huai Huang, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo
  • Patent number: 9985184
    Abstract: An optoelectronic device comprises a substrate; a groove on the substrate; a plurality of semiconductor units on the substrate and separated by the groove, wherein each semiconductor unit comprises a first semiconductor layer, a second semiconductor layer, and an active region interposed between the first semiconductor layer and the second semiconductor layer; a connecting part crossing the groove for connecting two of the plurality of semiconductor units, wherein the connecting part comprises one end on the first semiconductor layer and another end on the second semiconductor layer; a first electrode comprising a plurality of first extensions jointly connected to the one end of the connecting part; and a second electrode comprising a plurality of second extensions jointly connected to the another end of the connecting part, wherein an amount of the plurality of first extensions is different from an amount of the plurality of second extensions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 29, 2018
    Assignee: EPISTAR CORPORATION
    Inventors: Chang-Huei Jing, Chien-Fu Shen
  • Patent number: 9978737
    Abstract: A semiconductor device has first wiring layers and a plurality of dummy wiring layers that are provided on the same level as the first wiring layers. The semiconductor device defines a row direction, and first virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the row direction. The row direction and the first virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the first virtual linear lines. The semiconductor device also defines a column direction perpendicular to the row direction, and second virtual linear lines extending in a direction traversing the column direction. The column direction and the second virtual linear lines define an angle of 2-40 degrees, and the dummy wiring layers are disposed in a manner to be located on the second virtual linear lines.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 22, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Seiko Epson Corporation
    Inventors: Katsumi Mori, Kei Kawahara, Yoshikazu Kasuya
  • Patent number: 9972567
    Abstract: A multilayer substrate includes a flexible element assembly including a principal surface, a first to an n-th external electrode disposed on the principal surface, and at least one first dummy conductor disposed inside the element assembly in a floating state. When the element assembly is viewed from a normal direction of the principal surface, a distance between an m-th external electrode and a nearest external electrode therefrom among the first to the n-th external electrodes is defined as a distance Dm, an average of distances D1 to Dn is defined as an average Dave, and an area within a circle having a center on the m-th external electrode and having a radius of Dm is defined as an area Am. The first dummy conductor is located in at least one area Am having a radius of Dm greater than the average Dave when viewed from the normal direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kuniaki Yosui, Keisuke Ikeno
  • Patent number: 9966340
    Abstract: The present invention provides a flexible substrate for packaging and a package. The flexible substrate for packaging includes a bendable region provided in a central region of the flexible substrate; chips provided at both sides of the bendable region and at both ends of the flexible substrate, respectively; and a wire provided to be connected between the chips and to pass through the bendable region. A portion of the wire corresponding to the bendable region is provided with an anti-stress structure, and the anti-stress structure is configured to release a tensile resistance and a compressive resistance when the bendable region is bent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: BOE TECHNOLOGY GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bo Zhang, Wenbo Li
  • Patent number: 9966872
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a voltage rectifier (23) comprising at least two diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) each comprising plural diodes (33a, 33b, 33p, 34a, 34b, 35a, 35b, 35p, 36a, 36b, 36c, 36d, 36p) connected in series. The diode arrays are arranged in an enclosure (47). The diode arrays are arranged in a special arrangement for providing an even distribution of a field strength. According to an embodiment and with respect to the figures, the vertical distance between an enclosure (47) and the diode arrays (33, 34, 35, 36) increases when horizontally distancing from the direct current terminals. Further, the invention provides a voltage generator (21) and a voltage rectifier (23) having such a voltage rectifier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Inventors: Peter Luerkens, Christoph Loef
  • Patent number: 9966337
    Abstract: A wafer is provided. The wafer includes a dielectric layer, first and second metallization layer interconnects arrayed across the dielectric layer with the second metallization layer interconnects adjacent one another and surrounded by the first metallization layer interconnects and a cap. The first and second metallization layer interconnects have respective upper surfaces defining a first plane and a second plane recessed from the first plane, respectively. The cap is disposed on exposed surfaces of the second metallization layer interconnects and portions of the dielectric layer adjacent to the second metallization layer interconnects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS MACHINES CORPORATION
    Inventors: Benjamin D. Briggs, Lawrence A. Clevenger, Huai Huang, Christopher J. Penny, Michael Rizzolo, Hosadurga K. Shobha
  • Patent number: 9960136
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes a first circuit layer, a copper pillar disposed adjacent to the first circuit layer, a second circuit layer and a solder layer. The second circuit layer includes an electrical contact and a surface finish layer disposed on the electrical contact, wherein a material of the surface finish layer is a combination of at least two of nickel, gold, and palladium. The solder layer is disposed between the copper pillar and the surface finish layer. The solder layer includes a first intermetallic compound (IMC) and a second IMC, wherein the first IMC includes a combination of two or more of copper, nickel and tin, and the second IMC includes a combination of gold and tin, a combination of palladium and tin, or both.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: ADVANCED SEMICONDUCTOR ENGINEERING, INC.
    Inventors: Yu-Hsiang Hsiao, Chiu-Wen Lee, Ping-Feng Yang, Kwang-Lung Lin
  • Patent number: 9960185
    Abstract: A base and a manufacturing method thereof and a display device are provided, so that a problem of faultage of an insulating layer when forming the insulating layer on an aluminum electrode of a substrate is solved. The base includes an aluminum electrode in a first setting pattern on a substrate, and an aluminum oxide layer or an aluminum nitride layer (3) in a second setting pattern provided in a same layer with the aluminum electrode. The first setting pattern and the second setting pattern are complementary to each other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Xiangyong Kong, Fengjuan Liu
  • Patent number: 9960118
    Abstract: An opening is formed within a substrate made of a silicon material, and a cleaning process is performed; after which, the bottom and walls of the opening are contaminated with oxygen and fluorine particles. A lower blocking layer is formed within the opening, and the lower blocking layer contacts the bottom and walls of the opening. Also, a middle liner layer is formed within the opening, and the middle liner layer contacts the lower blocking layer. Additionally, an upper blocking layer is formed within the opening, and the upper blocking layer contacts the middle liner layer. Further, a conductor layer is formed within the opening, and the conductor layer contacts the upper blocking layer. The lower blocking layer prevents the fluorine particles from affecting the other layers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Donghun Kang, Neal A. Makela, Christopher C. Parks
  • Patent number: 9947610
    Abstract: A semiconductor structure includes a semiconductor substrate, a dielectric layer, a buffer layer, at least one recess, and at least one conductor. The dielectric layer is present on the semiconductor substrate. The buffer layer is present between the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer. The recess extends into the semiconductor substrate through the dielectric layer and the buffer layer, in which the buffer layer has a removing rate with respect to an etching process for forming the recess. The removing rate of the buffer layer is between those of the semiconductor substrate and the dielectric layer. The conductor is present in the recess.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2018
    Assignee: TAIWAN SEMICONDUCTOR MANUFACTURING CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Shiang-Chin Lu, Chien-Chih Wu, Jer-Shien Yang, Hung-Wen Chen
  • Patent number: 9941190
    Abstract: Semiconductor devices having a through-silicon-via and methods of forming the same are described herein. As an example, a semiconductor device may include a substrate material, a through-silicon-via protrusion extending from the substrate material, a first dielectric material formed on the substrate material, a second dielectric material formed on the first dielectric material, and an interconnect formed on the through-silicon-via protrusion, where the interconnect formed is in an opening in the second dielectric material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Jaspreet S. Gandhi, Wayne H. Huang
  • Patent number: 9941249
    Abstract: A stacked semiconductor device and a method of forming the stacked semiconductor device are provided. A plurality of integrated circuits are bonded to one another to form the stacked semiconductor device. After each bonding step to bond an additional integrated circuit to a stacked semiconductor device formed at the previous bonding step, a plurality of conductive plugs are formed to electrically interconnect the additional integrated circuit to the stacked semiconductor device formed at the previous bonding step.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company
    Inventors: Shu-Ting Tsai, Szu-Ying Chen, Jeng-Shyan Lin, Tzu-Hsuan Hsu, Feng-Chi Hung, Dun-Nian Yaung
  • Patent number: 9941236
    Abstract: To prevent cracks of an interlayer insulation film at the time of wire bonding while maintaining adhesion of an aluminum pad electrode and the interlayer insulation film in a semiconductor device in which the aluminum pad electrode and a lead frame are connected with bonding wire by a ball bonding technology. In a bonding pad that is configured to have multiple pad electrodes each with two or more layers, the pad electrodes being electrically connected with one another through vias, the vias are not arranged under an area to which a capillary end of a wire bonder contacts at the time of the wire bonding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Renesas Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Tadahiro Miwatashi
  • Patent number: 9935100
    Abstract: In certain aspects, a semiconductor die includes a power rail, a first gate, and a second gate. The semiconductor die also includes a first gate contact electrically coupled to the first gate, wherein the first gate contact is formed from a first middle of line (MOL) metal layer, and a second gate contact electrically coupled to the second gate, wherein the second gate contact is formed from the first MOL metal layer. The semiconductor die further includes an interconnect formed from a second MOL metal layer, wherein the interconnect is electrically coupled to the first and second gate contacts, and at least a portion of the interconnect is underneath the power rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2018
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Hyeokjin Bruce Lim, Zhengyu Duan, Qi Ye, Mickael Malabry
  • Patent number: 9929126
    Abstract: A package includes a corner, a device die, a plurality of redistribution lines underlying the device die, and a plurality of metal pads electrically coupled to the plurality of redistribution lines. The plurality of metal pads includes a corner metal pad closest to the corner, wherein the corner metal pad is a center-facing pad having a bird-beak direction substantially pointing to a center of the package. The plurality of metal pads further includes a metal pad farther away from the corner than the corner metal pad, wherein the metal pad is a non-center-facing pad having a bird-beak direction pointing away from the center of the package.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Company, Ltd.
    Inventors: Chen-Hua Yu, Shin-Puu Jeng, Der-Chyang Yeh, Hsien-Wei Chen, Jie Chen
  • Patent number: 9929109
    Abstract: Some embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a three dimensional integrated circuit (3DIC) structure. The 3DIC structure has a first die and a second die that is bonded to the first die by one or more bonding structures. The one or more bonding structures respectively have a first metal pad arranged on the first die and a second metal pad arranged on the second die. A first plurality of support structures are disposed between the first die and the second die. The first plurality of support structures include polymers and are laterally spaced apart from a closest one of the one or more bonding structures. The first plurality of support structures extend below an upper surface of the second metal pad.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Taiwan Semiconductor Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Chih-Wei Wu, Ying-Ching Shih, Szu-Wei Lu, Jing-Cheng Lin
  • Patent number: 9922929
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to semiconductor structures and, more particularly, to self aligned interconnect structures and methods of manufacture. The structure includes an interconnect structure which is self-aligned with an upper level via metallization, and both the interconnect structure and the upper level via metallization are composed of a Pt group material.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 20, 2018
    Assignee: GLOBALFOUNDRIES INC.
    Inventors: Xunyuan Zhang, Roderick A. Augur, Hoon Kim
  • Patent number: 9911787
    Abstract: A semiconductor device includes an active region defining an isolation region. First and second cell interconnection structures are on the active region and the isolation region, and have line shapes that are parallel to each other. An isolation pattern is on the active region and the isolation region. The isolation pattern is between the first and second cell interconnection structures. Contact structures are between the first and second cell interconnection structures. The contact structures are at both sides of the isolation pattern and overlap the active region. Insulating patterns are between the first and second cell interconnection structures. The insulating patterns are at both sides of the isolation pattern and overlap the isolation region. Common source regions are under the first and second cell interconnection structures. The common source regions are in the active region. An isolating gate pattern that has a line shape is under the isolation pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co, Ltd.
    Inventors: Kiseok Suh, Gwanhyeob Koh, Yoonjong Song
  • Patent number: 9911699
    Abstract: A graphic data of a first wiring in a first area of a semiconductor wafer may be extracted, which may correspond to a semiconductor chip forming area. The first area may be surrounded by a scribed area of the semiconductor wafer. The first area includes a second area bounded with the scribed area. The second area has a second distance from a boundary between the semiconductor chip forming area and the scribed area to an boundary between the first area and the second area. A first dummy pattern in the first area is laid out to have at least a first distance from the first wiring. A second dummy pattern in the second area is laid out to have at least the first distance from the first wiring and at least a third distance from the first dummy pattern.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2018
    Assignee: Longitude Semiconductor S.a.r.l.
    Inventors: Michio Inoue, Yorio Takada
  • Patent number: 9899254
    Abstract: Array contacts for semiconductor memories may be formed using a first set of parallel stripe masks and subsequently a second set of parallel stripe masks transverse to the first set. For example, one set of masks may be utilized to etch a dielectric layer, to form parallel spaced trenches. Then the trenches may be filled with a sacrificial material. That sacrificial material may then be masked transversely to its length and etched, for example. The resulting openings may be filled with a metal to form array contacts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Roberto Somaschini, Alessandro Vaccaro, Paolo Tessariol, Giulio Albini
  • Patent number: 9899323
    Abstract: An integrated circuit device includes a first conductive line and a second conductive line that are spaced apart from each other and extend in a first direction to be parallel to each other; and a contact pad including a pad body including a first branch portion from which the first conductive line branches and a second branch portion from which the second conductive line branches and a loop branch portion that is located between the first branch portion and the second branch portion and protrudes from the pad body. Related devices and fabrication methods are also discussed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ho-jun Seong, Jae-hwang Sim